Six Arrested in Market Shooting

Sunday

Dec 2, 2012 at 4:40 PM

Six Lakeland teens have been arrested and accused of taking part in the shooting of a 79-year-old man at the Lakeland Farmers Market.

By ELVIA MALAGONTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Six Lakeland teens have been arrested and accused of taking part in the shooting of a 79-year-old man at the Lakeland Farmers Market.The Polk County Sheriff's Office is searching for one other teen who officials said was identified as being involved in the shooting. The teens range in age from 13 to 18.Bernardo Copeland, 18; Khalid Preston, 17; D'ante Morris, 15; Ladarius Johnson, 16; Dwight Martin, 16; and Kendall Wainwright, 14, were each charged with attempted murder and armed robbery.Sheriff Grady Judd said the shooting at the Lakeland Farmers Market happened early Nov. 24 as vendors were setting up for the day. Two of the teens originally approached the 79-year-old man, who refused to sell the teens a firearm because they looked young.The two teens returned to the stand with five other teens.Two shots were fired at the 79-year-old vendor, and he was hit once in the stomach, Judd said. Deputies originally said there were six people involved in the shooting.The wounded man was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he continues to recover.Judd said detectives worked for a week on the case and discovered the group of teens was also tied to burglaries in Lakeland. Deputies worked on the case with the Lakeland Police Department."That 79-year-old man went to work to make ends meet, and he was shot down and left for dead by a group of young criminal thugs," Judd said.Brian Porter shared the booth with the 79-year-old man and was there the morning of the shooting."They meant business," Porter said in November. "And they knew what they were going to do."Judd said it appeared the teens planned the shooting.Officials said that deputies continue to search for Davion Smith, 13, who will face attempted murder charges.Copeland was also charged Friday with aggravated battery with a firearm and accused of shooting into a vehicle Sept. 30 in Lakeland. According to an arrest affidavit, police considered the shooting gang-related. He remained in the Polk County Jail without bail Sunday.Officials couldn't confirm Sunday where the teens went to school. According to Facebook pages, Copeland, Martin and Wainwright attend Kathleen High School.

[ Elvia Malagon can be reached at elvia.malagon@theledger.com or 863-802-7550. ]